Altered Extracellular Matrix as an Alternative Risk Factor for Epileptogenicity in Brain Tumors

Jody M de Jong, Diede W M Broekaart, Anika Bongaarts, Angelika Mühlebner, James D Mills, Erwin A van Vliet, Eleonora Aronica

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Seizures are one of the most common symptoms of brain tumors. The incidence of seizures differs among brain tumor type, grade, location and size, but paediatric-type diffuse low-grade gliomas/glioneuronal tumors are often highly epileptogenic. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to play a role in epileptogenesis and tumorigenesis because it is involved in the (re)modelling of neuronal connections and cell-cell signaling. In this review, we discuss the epileptogenicity of brain tumors with a focus on tumor type, location, genetics and the role of the extracellular matrix. In addition to functional problems, epileptogenic tumors can lead to increased morbidity and mortality, stigmatization and life-long care. The health advantages can be major if the epileptogenic properties of brain tumors are better understood. Surgical resection is the most common treatment of epilepsy-associated tumors, but post-surgery seizure-freedom is not always achieved. Therefore, we also discuss potential novel therapies aiming to restore ECM function.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2475
Pages (from-to)1-24
JournalBiomedicines
Volume10
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Oct 2022

Keywords

  • brain tumor
  • epileptogenesis
  • extracellular matrix
  • low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors
  • low-grade gliomas
  • matrix metalloproteinases

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